"Connecticut has a highly concentrated news landscape ...and it's rewarding to break through and get stories aired that otherwise wouldn't be heard or read." – Melinda Tuhus, Journalist

"Not only has CT News Service brought visibility to our year-round work... they make it easy to do so. Our only regret is that we didn't know about them sooner!" – Cheryl Dunson, President, LWVCT

“In these turbulent times, facts matter and fair reporting is essential. What Public News Service brings to the table is not just experience and reach -- lots of outlets have those – but also a commitment to substantive coverage of public-interest news, nationally and in the states. Our KIDS COUNT network benefits from PNS coverage on children’s well-being that everyone from parents to policymakers will find to be accessible and informative.” – Beau Boughamer, Senior Communications Manager, The Annie E. Casey Foundation

"Proud to be telling real journalism stories again. PNS sheds light on areas often ignored by the mainstream media. I can think of no other time when this is more important, than this election year." – Stephanie Carson, Producer, PNS

"Public News Service provides one of the best ways to reach western audiences. By providing credible, balanced coverage, PNS is utilized by many radio stations and other media outlets throughout the West; communicating with listeners that otherwise would be out of reach." – Chris Mehl, Headwaters Economics

“We are a small organization handling complex programs. We simply don’t have the resources to have a communications person; we can barely keep up with the website. PNS fills an important hole in our advocacy efforts and I will continue to urge others to take advantage of the communication opportunities your organization provides. Thanks for all you folks do. You do it well.” – Dave Rinebolt, Executive Director & Counsel, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

“We are a small organization handling complex programs. We simply don’t have the resources to have a communications person; we can barely keep up with the website. PNS fills an important hole in our advocacy efforts and I will continue to urge others to take advantage of the communication opportunities your organization provides. Thanks for all you folks do. You do it well.” – Dave Rinebolt, Executive Director & Counsel, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy

"We believe that the support and public education that has been generated by funding a beat in the Public New Service has been well worth it. We have partnered with PNS journalists over the years and they are excellent." – Sherry Currens, Executive Director, Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence

"Until we can find a way to find common ground between today's seemingly irreconcilable camps, we'll continue to see strife and unrest. But if it's going to come from anywhere, it'll be organizations such as PNS that will facilitate the quest for understanding." – Dallas Heltzell, Editor, PNS

"I appreciate the opportunity to be a part of an organization that cares, so much, about our collective future." – Greg Stotelmyer, Producer

"It is an honor to be a part of the work PNS is doing and express my pride as a member of this intelligent, professional, hard-working and committed team." – Alfonso López-Collada, Spanish Language Producer

"Love the news service and all you folks do. You have a tremendous bunch of journalists churning out some great stuff. We use every story from South Dakota, most stories from Minnesota and some from North Dakota too." – David J. Law, Station Manager, KXLG Radio

"PNS proves consistently its commitment to accuracy and an ability to see the most poignant and compelling angles. PNS is fantastic to work with!" – Anna West, Humane Society of the United States

“You’re all All-Stars in my book! As the Quakers say, we’ll hold you in the Light and keep working for a day when journalists – along with children and all people – can live in peace.” – Jon Krieg, American Friends Service Committee

"Very inspiring and impressive! Thank you for your commitment and endless hours of work to facilitate choices based upon facts." – Robin Gilman, R.N.

They have been fantastic…tremendously professional, diligent and effective in researching and creating pieces about our effort to gain support in New Hampshire for a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. We have had significant media coverage throughout the state since Public News Service began working on this issue and I am sure that they have played an important role in making that happen. – Jonah Minkoff-Zern, Campaign Director, Public Citizen

"We haven’t had any remotely local news on the weekends for months now - this will be a big step up. You rock.” – Maryland Broadcaster

“I think of PNS as AP with a heart, covering progressive issues that are often overlooked in the media milieu.” – Denise M. Moorehead, Moorehead Creative Solutions for the BUILD Initiative

“I second the LOVE for Public News Service! They have been incredible!” – Malkia Cyril, Executive Director, Center for Media Justice & MAG-NET

”We really appreciate you being among the first to cover an important story before the national media thought it was worthwhile!” – Jennifer Rennicks, Director of Policy & Communications, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy

"I like that it will sometimes bring stories and issues to my attention." – National Media Outlet

"I read it... to know what people are talking about. Once in a while, it will give me a story idea I can develop locally." – Media Outlet

"PNS extends the reach and amplifies the voices of those too often left out of [mainstream media discussions]. Supporting it is one of the most effective investments a nonprofit can make." – Marcia Egbert, Senior Program Officer, The George Gund Fdn

"Public News Service is the most widely used independent news service you've never heard of..." – AlterNet

"We have been supporting Michigan News Connection for at least three years... It's an excellent way to reach audiences we normally wouldn't reach." – Barbara (Bobbie) Lewis, Director of Communications, Lutheran Social Services of Michigan

"We truly value our partnership with the Iowa News Service. From their helpful story development process to timely usage analysis, we appreciate the care, professionalism and results their stories deliver every time." – Ann Black, State Director for Communications, AARP Iowa

"We value the service greatly. With just one staff reporter, it's a challenge to fill the news hole three times a week, so we appreciate the intelligent, interesting content." – Media Outlet

"We work with PNS to develop a mindset among our organization's leaders to step back and consider the newsworthiness of the projects and activities we are involved in." – Lucy Copass, League of Women Voters WA

"...invaluable in disseminating information about our issues to parts of the state where we've never had a presence"..."we would not have been able to reach out so broadly--where legislators and their constituents listen--in such a consistent and timely fashion"..."delivers strategic objectives for nonprofit advocates on a daily basis"..."a smart, cost-effective way to make sure the issues we care about are covered in communities large and small throughout the state..." – NYNC Supporters

"In a world where corporate media and pop culture are increasingly intertwined, I find it refreshing to be part of an independent news service committed to providing stories that delve into issues that truly and profoundly affect our communities." – Monique Coppola, Journalist

"Supporting an independent news outlet that casts a wider net and gets more voices and opinions into the public debate - we all win." – PNS Supporters

"The scripts are well written and soundbites are concise.", News Director

"We are extremely pleased with the story coverage and the constant and good outreach on behalf of the Texas News Service staff. Issues that we have been working on for years are finally getting heard and for the first time our perspective is aired on outlets such as Clear Channel; reaching an audience beyond the choir." – Mike Seifert, Network Weaver

"What makes it especially valuable is the PNS website that carries an audio and printed version. We make sure that our local and state leaders know about the news coverage... and also use our web and Facebook presence to send members and friends to the site." – Bill Johnson, Communications Director, Virginia Education Association

"I'm pleased to be a part of such a sound and worthwhile organization." – Dick Layman, Producer, PNS

"Telling stories that affect real people and making a difference. That's the kind of work I can be proud of in this ever-changing world of media." – Debbie Courson Smith, Managing Editor, PNS

"We feel it's a great resource, and appreciate all you do... thank you!" – Elizabeth Wright, Tennesseans for Fair Taxation

"We've worked with Public News Service for several years now...a very effective method of getting news about our issues in front of the public." – Don Neal, Equality State Policy Center

"...it has been really helpful... we are thrilled..." – Gerda Stein, Center for Death Penalty Litigation

"...seasoned journalists and the product that they produce is evidence of that fact ... great people to work with also." – Jane Garrott, Wisconsin Association for Justice

"[Important issues] in Illinois have been carried farther and more accurately throughout the state thanks to the Illinois News Connection..." – Gerardo Cardenas, Senior Manager - Communications, AARP Illinois

"I enjoy helping to shed light on many of the social and economic issues that have a definite impact on the lives of [real people]." – John Michaelson, Producer, PNS

"In today's turbulent, and mostly sensationalized media, we can really help out all the other newsrooms suffering from shrinking resources, and that helps the public ultimately." – Jerry Oster, Producer, PNS

"It's positive support for newsrooms and web outlets across the country." – Glen Gardener, Journalist

"PNS is filling an important niche by building awareness and investigating the important stories that many traditional news sources have lost sight of or don't have the resources and time to cover." – Jared White, The Wilderness Society

"We are completely happy working with the ANC...great stories that get wide distribution throughout the region. The relationship and work has been great." – Jennifer Allen, Executive Director, Border Action Network

"...hugely helpful in reaching folks we could never otherwise reach...I've gone to meetings with state officials and have seen the stories we pitched on their desks. On more than one occasion, I've been able to pitch stories to the national group that got carried all over the country and that reached millions..." – Rick Wilson, AFSC-WV Economic Justice Project

"In the current news landscape, PNS plays a critical role in bringing public-interest stories into communities around the country. We appreciate working with this growing network." – Roye Anastasio-Bourke, Senior Communications Manager, Annie E. Casey Foundation

"Instead of the 'if it bleeds, it leads' news culture, at PNS we offer coverage of substantive issues that actually impact lives in far broader terms, and offer some food for thought on how to make those lives better." – Tom Joseph, Producer, PNS

"PNS is: Easy. Friendly. Helpful." – Rebecca Turner, Faith Aloud

"The eyes and ears of the entire nation have been on Wisconsin and it's been a challenge and an honor to document the dramatic changes in Wisconsin's political landscape for Public News Service (going forward) promises to be no less interesting." – Tim Morrissey, Producer, WNC

"The Public News Service has proven its value in educating the public and increasing awareness of [important issues]. The reporters and interviews provide an ideal opportunity to train and increase the confidence of our spokespeople." – Stacie Fredenburg, Community Health Association of the Dakotas

"We are pleased with the outreach that Keystone State News Connection provides, and the need for public interest and progressive voices in mainstream news media has never been greater." – Wythe Keever, Pennsylvania State Education Association

"We do an incredible amount of work, but much of it never gets to the media...in this, PNS is incredibly helpful." – Sherry Otto, Cumberland Chapter, Sierra Club

"We joined PNS, upon faith, not knowing really what to expect. Through balanced reporting of news, you are really responding to a huge media gap in Texas. Keep up the good work!" – Randy Chapman, Executive Director, Texas Legal Services Center

"When we think about high impact, strategic communication, we think about the Public News Service." – Ona Porter, Executive Director, Prosperity Works New Mexico

What is the Connecticut News Service?

Launched in 2009, the Connecticut News Service (CTNS) is part of a network of independent public interest state-based news services pioneered by Public News Service. Our mission is an informed and engaged citizenry making educated decisions in service to democracy; and our role is to inform, inspire, excite and sometimes reassure people in a constantly changing environment through reporting spans political, geographic and technical divides.

Especially valuable in this turbulent climate for journalism, currently 31 radio stations and used by 13 print/online outlets and 2 television stations for a total of 46 media outlets in Connecticut and border states and 147 regionally/nationwide outlets regularly pick up and redistribute our stories. An average of 6 media outlets broadcast or ran each story in their paper and/or on their web page. These include outlets like:

Catholic Transcript, Bloomfield

El Sol News

Mystic River Press

The East Hartford Gazette

WAVZ-AM iHeartMedia, Inc. New Haven

WELI-AM iHeartMedia, Inc. New Haven

WGCH-AM news talk Greenwich

WGCH-AM news talk Greenwich

WKCI-FM iHeartMedia, Inc. Hamden

WQUN-AM Hamden

Making a Difference

Our ability to support a vibrant democracy and stay educated on the issues that affect our lives is challenged by increasingly fragmented media with under-resourced newsrooms. The result is not more voices, but more of the same voices - just louder - dominating public dialogue on mainstream media.

Our solution: We deliver multi-platform, public interest news to ALL the news outlets in Connecticut and border markets: broadcast, print, online and social media. Where we have funding, we also translate and distribute stories to all Spanish-speaking media and offer supporters access to Mainstream Media Projects' talk show booking service and additional media services.

Across the country, Public News Service is reaching Over 40 Million people weekly through over 8,000 media outlets.

The map above shows the media outlets that picked up our stories last year across Connecticut. Download the full list of outlet pickups. Note: This does not include all the websites which have widgets or picked up CTNS stories from public websites where we cannot track where the stories end up -- just the number of downloads from our password-protected media outlets' website.

We invite you to take a moment to learn more in Our Reach about the 'new normal' and how supporting independent journalists who share your values can be invaluable in getting public interest messages out there in ways that many more people will see and hear.

How We Work

Our diverse funding mechanism allows anyone to be a philanthropist. Memberships, gifts and grants help fund our beats. Similar to 'voting' for your favorite program on public broadcasting, there is explicit understanding that all editorial authority rests with PNS.

A regular membership contribution provides resources to report on 6-8 stories. We welcome pitches from our supporters and assistance in finding spokespeople and information for timely news stories on the issues they care about. Our job is to cover the issues that matter: supporters are not excluded from being quoted themselves, however any branding opportunity is ancillary and minimal. (For branding needs or campaigning, please check out our SoundBite Services!)

Our producers generate story ideas and take pitches. Usually all it takes is an email or phone call - news releases are not necessary - and being available by phone for fact-checking once the story is done. Each completed news story (with versions for broadcasters, online, print and podcasts) is sent to media outlets statewide, national networks when appropriate, and members receive a detailed pickup report.